The Barque Thorne Wreck

In the early hours of 25th January 1890, the Barque Thorne was driven into the rocks off Onchan Head.

The Thorne, a barque sailing vessel weighing 841 tonnes, set off
from Liverpool docks on 13th January 1890. Twelve days later her
voyage ended on the rocks off Onchan Head.

What little remains of the boat can even now still occasionally be
seen, uncovered during exceptionally low tides. In 1992 the bottom
of the hull appeared so far above water that it was possible to
walk along it.

The Rescue

All 16 crew members and two passengers who were aboard the
Thorne on that stormy night were saved by the crews of two Douglas
lifeboats.

At approximately 2.30am the captain of a nearby boat realised that
the Thorne was drifting into danger and raced to the harbour to
alert the Harbour Master.

The Thomas Rose lifeboat was launched, along with the John
Turner-Turner, and they battled increasingly severe gales to reach
the ship.

By the time they had travelled to the coast near Port
Jack, the stranded men had already launched their lifeboat
- and it was from there that the rescue ensued.

One man, James Glazebrook, was so grateful that he wrote a
tribute to his rescuers in the Manx Sun a few days later:

"I beg to express...the gratitude of myself and of all who were
on board the barque Thorne to the crews of the two Douglas
lifeboats for their bravery in rescuing us, at the risk of their
lives...The lifeboatmen acted throughout with the greatest skill,
coolness and judgement and it is only due to them that this public
recognition of their gallantry should be made."

Alchoholic Cargo

Throughout the early hours of the
morning, approximately 700 kilos of kegs, casks and
barrels of whisky and brandy washed up on the beach.

It was a sight like never before, as men and women alike lapped the
spirits like dogs and used boots to break them open.

The Sun described those drunk as "rolling about higgledy-piggedy on
the cliffs", and many were injured falling down onto the
rocks.

To prevent further mayhem barrels were opened and the contents
allowed to flow away, but this just resulted in people literally
drinking from the gutters!

When the Thorne broke up, about 300 more casks were salvaged, and
cargo continued to wash ashore for some time, but they were mainly
removed by Customs.

Board of Trade Inquiry

An inquiry into the stranding began on 11th February 1890,
and was heard over two days.

Its verdict was that: "All reasonable precautions were
taken...(and) the Master was in no way in default."

Salvage Operation

A small amount of cargo was salvaged in the weeks following the
incident through the use of divers and steam pumps.

According to the Manx Sun, these goods included: "many thousand
cases of whisky and cognac also several thousand gallons of
Guinness's stout, and large quantities of general cargo, preserved
meats, furniture, silk, cloths, linen, etc..."

Attempts were made to refloat the Thorne but they were later
abandoned, and she still lies there almost 125 years on.